* Jonathan Simms' stunning run of 45.12 seconds in the 400m on Saturday at the AAU Junior Olympic Games
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Jonathan Simms' finishing touch on Saturday was one for the ages.
The 16-year-old from Allen, Texas, began the final day of the AAU Junior Olympic Games on Saturday with a breathtaking run in the 15-16yo 400m final, authoring a can-you-believe-it performance of 45.12 seconds.
That effort broke various records:
- World age group record (Obea Moore, 45.14, 1995)
- New sophomore class record (Tyrese Cooper, 45.38, 2017)
- New Texas state record (Aldrich Bailey, 45.19, 2012)
- AAU national record (Tyrese Cooper, 45.23, 2016)
- Overall AAU 400m record (Tyrese Cooper, 45.23, 2016)
All in one fell swoop, Simms surpassed three legends in the sport, from one of the sport's true prep icons (Obea Moore), to an AAU legend like Tyrese Cooper, to even (now former) Texas state record-holder Aldrich Bailey.
And he did so ... as a high school sophomore.
What's more, Simms ran 1:51.69 in the 800m earlier in the week, claiming his first national title of the week. He followed with a 44.74 split in the 4x400 just a few days later.
If Simms' final touch was the 45.12, that would have been something.
But it was not.
Simms' final race on Saturday was perhaps even more remarkable, as he ushered on a 44.36 split, helping taking Impact Track from last to third, with the squad clocking a finishing time of 3:16.43.
The Scoop: